Did you know that the world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor is not far from London – not far from Oxford in fact (map link).
Before you worry that the dreaming spires will melt in a nuclear accident, Fusion is the sort-of nice side to nuclear power, the version that doesn’t go bang and could potentially be the fuel of the future.
While a huge fusion reactor is being built in France to prove the technology, it is the UK that leads the development work – and their research labs are open for public tours. You can get right up close and personal with a fusion reactor.
You have to book yonks in advance, but they are free, and you are allowed to take photos – it is not the sort of secret secure place that a fission reactor has to be.
Normally the tours are in the evenings, but this November they are having an open day at the weekend, making it much easier to visit for most of us.
The forthcoming tours are:
- Wed 13th Sept (evening)
- Sat 11th Nov (morning or afternoon)
To book go their contacts page and fill in the form including details of which tour you want.
Note:
- The tours are not suitable for children below the age of 14;
- A significant amount of walking is involved during the tours;
-
People with pacemakers or other medical implants will not be able to access certain areas.
Trains run to Culham from London, via Oxford or Didcot. There’s quite a nice country pub next to the railway station as well.
I visited a few years ago – my blog post about that is here.